((Thanks Rein and Ramica for the reviews. In all honesty I wasn't expecting much of a response for the revised chapters as there's not MUCH changed about them other than a sentence added or deleted here and there for clarity. There is one chapter...11...I think that will have a bit more important stuff in a convo between Splinter and Ren, but that's the most different thing of the revisions. Once the new chapters start, if I don't get much of a response, I may just zip off the last 7 or 8 chapters and email them privately to those who want to read the finish. Since it's been so long for this fic, I wouldn't blame people who fell off the interest wagon, although I've gotten four or five emails in the last few months demanding me to finish. ANYWAY...as long as a couple people are reading I have every intention of at least finishing it.))
I stood outside the room for a few moments after I closed the door, but I couldn't hear anyone talking.
"Hey, Ren," Michaelangelo said startling me. "Your call, little man. We've got the rest of the night to do whatever you want. I got movies, video games, board games, toys, comics. We can bribe Donnie into givin' us a chance at his computer." As he spoke I couldn't help but notice him ushering me away from the door. Guess whatever was about to happen in there was not for my ears.
We walked into the living room where Donatello sat at a desk studying something on a computer screen. He turned away from the monitor to look at us. "You don't need to bribe me. My computer is at your disposal, Ren. Provided you don't have your father's uncanny ability to crash it just by touching it."
Uncle Mike chuckled. "Man, the guy blows the thing up once and he's branded for life." He turned to me suddenly. "You hungry, Ren? I just realized you haven't eaten since yesterday." He didn't wait for me to answer but just did a U-turn and headed for the kitchen calling over his shoulder. "Dear brother Donnie didn't stock up while I was away, so supplies are rather limited."
I followed Mike and watched him rummage through cabinets muttering to himself. "Hmm...tuna, poptarts, potato chips, olives, cookies, marshmellows-- -here. How' bout some macaroni and cheese?" He filled a pot with water and set it on the stove to boil while I sat at the table tracing patterns on the white surface.
Mike sat across from me with a small grin. "So, was sensei everything you thought he would be?"
I didn't look up and mumbled. "I wasn't expecting anything. I just found out about the guy a few hours ago." I glanced up and saw Mike's expression. It wasn't a hurt look, but it was close enough to make me feel bad. He was obviously expecting a less scathing reply on my part. I sighed. "I dunno, Uncle Mike. No, I guess he isn't what I thought. He was almost---nice."
Mike grinned at that. "Sure he's nice. I mean---." He trailed off and sighed. "I wish I knew how to explain what's going on, Ren."
I shrugged. "You don't have to. I'm not an idiot. I can piece things together. My mother was a blood enemy. My dad chose her over his family. Splinter didn't like it. He disowned my father and now my father's here to...to I don't know. Beg Splinter's forgiveness before he dies, I guess."
My uncle didn't say anything. He just stood up and went to pour the macaroni into the water. Mike stirred it silently and I continued drawing on the table with my finger.
"Not so cut and dry, Miren."
I didn't have to turn to know Raphael had just walked into the kitchen. Wishful thinking. I had hoped he was gone. No such luck, because he sat down next to me with an arrogant grin.
Mike was mixing the cheese in with the macaroni. "Give it a rest for one night, Raph."
Raphael looked up and glared at him. I wouldn't have been surprised if Raphael tossed Mike into the oven for talking to him like that. But he just shrugged it off and stood up. "Go to bed when you're done eating, Miren. Practice is at 6 am tomorrow. Mike'll show you where. Get a good nights sleep and don't even think about being late." Raphael walked out without another word.
Mike served me some macaroni and slid in the chair Raphael had just vacated. I pushed the food around with my fork, feeling suddenly very nauseous.
"It won't be as bad as you're thinkin', Ren. "
I looked up at Mike's sympathetic face. When I didn't say anything he continued. "I'll be there. So will Donnie."
"So will Raphael," I muttered looking back down at the plate. "What happens if I don't show up?"
Uncle Mike looked at me with a frown but didn't answer. He didn't have to though. I could pretty much guess what would happen and the last thing I wanted was to cause more trouble for my father right now. I sighed. "I'm not very hungry, Uncle Mike. Can I just go to bed now?"
"Sure," Mike said standing up. "I can show you to the spare room." As I followed him down the hall, he started babbling. "Glad I got an apartment with some extra rooms. Used to be just me. When Splinter got sick the first time, him and Raph moved in. Donnie lives in a farmhouse upstate usually, but he's been staying here the last few weeks."
I wondered exactly how Mike supported all these people without being able to go out and get a job, but I didn't think it would be polite to ask. Michaelangelo opened one of the doors and I walked in. It was a lot smaller than the room Splinter was in. There was a dresser and a twin bed. Other than that the room was pretty much empty.
Mike motioned to the dresser. "There's some big tee-shirts in there that should be long enough for you to wear to bed. Casey gave them to you. April will bring over some clothes in the morning. Your dad didn't bring much of yours."
I nodded. "My dad sleeping in here too?"
Mike rubbed his head. "I'm not sure, Ren. I doubt your dad will sleep much at all tonight. But my room is next to this one, if you need anything. Donnie usually stays in Splinter's room and Raph sleeps on the couch."
I made a mental note to avoid the living room at all costs. "Ok..thanks. Good night, Uncle Mike."
Michaelangelo paused as if there were something else he should do or say, but he didn't know what. Finally he just nodded. "Night, Ren. See ya in the morning." He walked out and closed the door.
After he left, I stood in the middle of the room debating what to do. I thought about putting on one of the shirts, but in the end I just fell onto the bed. Feeling more alone than I ever had before I drifted off to sleep.
I was running. I wasn't sure where or why, but I was running as fast as I possibly could. The funny thing was, I didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I heard footsteps following me and they seemed to be getting closer. Suddenly, I was standing right in front of my father.
"Dad," I gasped. "You gotta help me. Someone's---"
He picked me up and his mouth twisted into a snarl. "You should have never been born."
"Told ya, Miren."
I turned and Raphael was standing there with that weapon of his, smirking. "Your dad's got enough to worry about without having your spoiled ass around all the time. We can fix that though. Right Leo?"
My dad grinned. "Right." He dropped me to the floor and looked up.
From my seat on the floor, I followed my dad's gaze. Those ninjas that attacked us before. The Foot. There were thousands of them swarming around me. "Dad!" I cried.
He laughed. "Kill him." And walked away with Raphael leaving me alone as the ninjas all jumped at once.
I choked back a scream and sat up in the bed, bathed in sweat. I was breathing hard and my throat felt like it was on fire. Falling back onto the pillow, I tried to calm down a little. "It was a dream, Ren," I whispered. "Just a dream. You're not a frickin psychic. Your dreams don't come true." I ran a shaky hand through my hair and got up.
I opened the door a little. The lights were all out which means everyone must've gone to bed. I eased my way down the hall heading to the kitchen for a drink of water to ease my burning throat. . As I neared the door, I heard voices. Crouching down near the door I listened quietly.
"Didn't say much to you huh?" Uncle Mike asked.
There was a few moments of silence and then I heard the answer. "Barely spoke a word."
My eyes widened as I realized that was my father. Pressing further against the wall I waited to hear what happened with Splinter.
My dad sighed. "I begged for his forgiveness. Told him how wrong I was not to believe him when he told me Taki wasn't to be trusted. I explained everything! Everything that I was too ashamed to explain ten years ago. After that I was trapped, Mike. After he was born, it was too late."
"We would have helped, Leo," Mike said quietly. "You never asked."
My dad laughed sadly. "I couldn't, Mike. How could I? Splinter had already disowned me. I had no honor. Have no honor. I only came back because I have no other choice now. They will kill him. No matter what I do. I could try to protect him myself, but he is so much safer here with everyone." There was another few moments of silence before my dad continued. "It's always been about protecting, Ren, Mike. I gave up everything to make sure he was safe. Almost everything."
"Leo-" Uncle Mike began, but my dad cut him off.
"Mike. Ren likes you. He seems to trust you. Please...please tell me you'll look after him."
Look after me? What was going on?
"Leo, you can't do this," Mike said sounding desperate.
"It's the only way, Mike," Dad insisted. "My life in exchange for Ren's. I can die with honor and Ren will be under the clan's protection until he can protect himself. Mike, Splinter won't talk to me. He's not going to just forgive me. I know what it takes to redeem myself and I will gladly do it. I would have done it ten years ago, if not for my son."
I froze, my mouth hanging open. What was going on? My dad sounded like he was about to put a gun to his head
"Leo," Mike began. "You can't honestly think Splinter would turn you and Ren away if you didn't give some kind of sacrifice."
"No. I don't think he would. But that doesn't make a difference, Mike. I know what he thinks of me. I know what I think of myself. This is something I have to do."
I couldn't believe it. He was talking about killing himself. His life for mine. Is that what it took to be part of this clan? If it was, I didn't want any part of it and I would tell Splinter that myself. To hell with him if his "legacy" leaves no room for forgiveness. Lack of sleep making me feel braver than I actually was, I stood. But my heart suddenly dropped as I turned to stare right into the chest of Raphael.
